Current account posts $1.07bn surplus in March

April 16, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $1.07bn in March 2026, according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This compares with a surplus of $1.28bn in March 2025, a decline of 16.1% year-on-year.

On a monthly basis, the surplus widened significantly from $231m recorded in February 2026.

On a cumulative basis, the current account posted a surplus of $8m in 9MFY26, compared with a surplus of $1.674bn in 9MFY25.

During March, exports of goods stood at $2.53bn, down 8.4% compared with $2.76bn in the same month last year. However, on a monthly basis, exports rose from $2.48bn recorded in February.

Imports of goods came in at $4.90bn, down 0.7% year-on-year from $4.94bn, and also declined from $5.17bn in the previous month.

As a result, the trade deficit in goods widened 9.0% year-on-year to $2.38bn, compared with $2.18bn in March 2025, though it narrowed from $2.69bn in February.

Exports of services rose 16.2% year-on-year to $903m in March, compared with $777m in the same month last year, and also increased from $800m in February. Imports of services were largely flat at $926m versus $897m a year ago.

The deficit on trade in services narrowed sharply to $23m from $120m in March 2025.

Overall, the balance on trade in goods and services widened marginally to a deficit of $2.40bn, compared with $2.30bn in March 2025, though it improved from $2.81bn in February 2026.

Workers' remittances declined 5.5% year-on-year to $3.83bn in March, compared with $4.05bn in March 2025. On a monthly basis, however, remittances surged from $3.29bn recorded in February.

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